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Sweet Home Alabama
(Reviewed September 18, 2002)
-
Once again, we are graced with a dismal would-be comedy extolling the easy-livin', down-home virtues of life in the sticks among unsophisticated "simple folk"--made by a bunch of cynical Hollywood swells who wouldn't be caught dead there. This movie is so dishonest, so stupid, so insultingly fake that the viewer has to wonder if anyone involved in the production ever has had the pleasure of actually meeting anyone with a southern accent.
Plot? If you've seen the TV ad, you've seen the movie. Let's put it this way: Is there any doubt in your mind whether citified fashion designer Reese Witherspoon will remain engaged to her wealthy New York boyfriend, as opposed to returning to her cornpone childhood sweetheart in Pigeon Creek, Alabammy? No surprises here, folks!
Personally, I am hoping that the residents of Alabama will rise up and storm Hollywood in outrage over this flick--not merely because they are portrayed as semi-retarded simpletons, but because NOT ONE FRAME WAS FILMED IN ALABAMA! That wouldn't be so bad if the whole mess had been shot on a studio backlot, as in the old days. But no--the makers of this bomb actually went on location in GEORGIA to shoot the Alabama scenes...EVEN THOUGH THE FRIGGIN' MOVIE IS CALLED "SWEET HOME ALABAMA!"
The only thing I liked about this bad-sitcom-level timewaster is the fact that for once a Democrat (the mayor of New York, played by Candice Bergen) is portrayed in a bad light (making a contemptuously sarcastic crack about liking poor people because "poor people put me in office"). Don't get me wrong--as a good Libertarian, I despise Republicans as well as Dems--but it is refreshingly unusual to see a Democrat portrayed by the entertainment industry as anything other than saintly, progressive and enlightened.
Back Row Grade: F
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